Daredevil: To Heaven Through Hell, Vol. 1

Daredevil by Chip Zdarsky #1-2

by Chip Zdarsky, Julian Totino Tedesco (Cover Art), Marco Checchetto (Illustrator)

You will know fear! After a dangerous brush with death, Matt Murdock must piece together his shattered life. Years of trauma have taken their toll, and becoming the guardian of Hell's Kitchen again won't be easy. Mistakes will be made, and one might prove to be the end of Daredevil! With a criminal dead, Matt must go on the run in a desperate bid to clear his name. But even he can't outrun judgment forever. And with Daredevil absent from Hell's Kitchen, the real devils come out to play. Matt Murdock will emerge from his ordeals a changed man-but will it be for better or worse? And when he faces up to his choices, can he truly live a life without the suit? Chip Zdarsky unveils the next chapter in the ever-surprising saga of Daredevil! Collects Daredevil (2019) #1-10.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Comic Book

232 pages, Hardcover

Published March 16, 2021

About the author

Chip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decided it was time to give Zdarsky's DD another chance.



I've already reviewed volume 1 (2 stars) & volume 2 (3 stars), and this re-read did nothing to change my mind about either volume.
In other words, I still think Matt Murdock is too whiny, too angsty, and his obsession with God and guilt gets on my nerves.



But I fully realize that all of the things I despise about the character are the very same things that give him depth and relatability to his legion of fans.
Proving the adage that there is someone for everyone.



And even though I still thought he was written using the tears of zealots wearing hairshirts, the second volume was much more interesting plot-wise.
Wish me luck as I head onward to the next part of To Heaven Through Hell.

Recommended for Catholics.

[Mattthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid. So far, this looks to be a very promising run.
Highly Recommend.

[Remxo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you miss the Netflix show, this is the next best thing. Zdarsky's Daredevil has a very similar tone, with its street level crimes, ultraviolence and gritty realism. Something I don't see translated to the screen big or small, any time soon with Disney at the helm. I suppose the show was in part inspired by Miller's run on DD so I guess we've come full circle.

Zdarsky's Daredevil is a flawed superhero, who makes at least one morally ambiguous decision in this book, even though he's still struggling with the fallout of another. It's also not the first time DD is going through an existential crisis, but this makes for memorable conversations about faith and about crime versus the law - the highlights of the book for me.

Three artists worked on this, but they all deliver top notch work, but Marco Checchetto is on a level all his own.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daredevil has always been one of my favorite vigilantes. Zdarsky's run is AWESOME.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really close to being 5 stars. I adore how they focus on the violence being an addiction for Matt Murdock and him consistently trying to see if him being a vigilante is doing more harm than good. This does shake up the status quo as much as superhero comics are permitted to. Yes, I can see someone pointing out that this feels like a retread but I was still hooked! And Zdarsky brings the catholic guilt front and center! More so than any writer before. My only two real problems are that while the ideas feel fresh they are kind slightly been there done that. The art is inconsistent and that really frustrates me. I wish it wasn't taboo for an artist to stick with the same artist because Marco Checchetto was magnificent! The artist that follows for 4 issues was competent but a real step down from the glorious Checchetto. Also on occasion the dialog can feel a bit forced. Like he was trying to sound gritty and instead felt awkward. This only happened a few times. Regardless I'm very excited to see where Zdarsky leads Matt Murdock.

[Billy Jepma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of really, really good stuff here. Zdarsky is a terrific writer, and I’m always enamored with how rich—and even poetic—his dialogue is. The first 5 issues were honestly a mixed bag for me, though. There’s a consistent sense of “bothsideism” going on, as Zdarsky tries to criticize the police without following through in a meaningful way. It often feels like characters say, “the system is broken,” but then shrug and move on “because it’s the one we’ve got.” It’s disappointing because it seems like Zdarsky wants to say something more but doesn’t.

Matt Murdock’s introspection is almost universally excellent, thankfully, and feels bold even when the bits of commentary don’t. Again, the first volume struggles with a sense of rote familiarity—and this comes from someone who has read very few Daredevil comics—but the second one more than makes up for it. I love how thoughtfully Zdarsky explores Murdock’s religion, his doubts, and the tensions those two things create for him. In many ways, the long discussions in volume 2 have more impact than the fight scenes in volume 1. If I wasn’t won over with the first 5 issues, the next 5 certainly got me there, and I’m 100% on board now.

The artwork, oddly enough, has the opposite problem, as it’s strongest in the first story arc and a little drab in the second. I didn’t dislike the change in artists, but Chechetto brings noir-tinged energy and heft to the story I missed in later issues. I understand the challenges of sticking to the same artist throughout an ongoing series...but the dramatic shift in visual style will always give me whiplash.

Still, I'm very excited to read more. Zdarsky continues to become one of my favorite writers, and if he keeps up the trend started in these first story arcs, I have every reason to look forward to what comes next.

[FrontalNerdaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection sees Matt Murdoch once again ditching his Daredevil side and trying to have a more normal life.

What I liked -
Marco Checchetto’s art is so, so good and really elevates the first six issues. He’s an artist that somehow turns in monthly comics with the highest standards. Matt being a playboy and continuing to own it is always fun as he’s easily Marvel’s biggest horn dog. The story with the new detective is good and any time we see Kingpin playing the long game is always reliably good.

What I disliked -
The ten issues collected here are very solid but do little to add a new dimension to Daredevil. Matt Murdoch is forever in the ‘man pain’ category and much like most Batman stories the writers don’t tend to deviate too much from the well worn expectations the reader has with Daredevil.
As with most monthly comics the art is hit and miss and the issues by Sharma don’t hold up to the high standards set by Checchetto. The last issue by Jorge Fornes is excellent though.

Favourite moment/ Issue -
The tense scene in issue #10 wherein the new detective realises he’s in trouble is very well done.

3/5.

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'm officially a Daredevil girlie.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

First five issues were great but later ones dragged even in art, but still sold read.

[Bryan Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit hit or miss, but when it hit, it really hit.
I thought the first 5 issues were fantastic. Great story, great writing, really great art by Checchetto.
However the next 4 issues weren’t my favourite. The dialogue was very long and sometimes a bit too preachy. The art was a big step down from the first half of the book. It wasn’t bad, but in comparison, it felt that way.
The final issue was really well done. I really like the style of Fornes. Reminds me a lot of Aja and Mazzucchelli.

[rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the only superhero media I've encountered in the last few years to acknowledge that maybe superheroes should not be supercops who are completely above the law. also just a damn good daredevil comic

[Eye-ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing raw story here. Zdarsky has been on fire for awhile now and this is no exception.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess Daredevil’s thing is he suffers. Good job with that, Chip.

[Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se nota que será una muy buena historiaaa

[Trike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the initial 5-issue graphic novel a couple years ago, so I figured a quick refresh would be in order before continuing on. I’m glad I did because this all flows as a piece, which is pretty impressive storytelling. It’s also a solid story about a fallible man wrestling with demons while making both good and bad choices. He just happens to be a superhero.

This is mostly a variation on the themes Daredevil scribes have been telling for 30-some years now, but that’s fine. It’s a very good version of it.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I love

Chechetto art - a perfect combo of the super moody watercolor art of the Bendis run and the comic-style echolocation of the Waid run

Wilson Fisk being the worlds greatest businessman and being ten moves ahead of his competitors

The dinner table scene with the Libris scene

The overall question of is doing bad okay if you can moralize it?

Things I hate

Daredevil can punch and kick but his victims ALWAYS heal just fine

Daredevil using a car door as a shield and skateboarding on a goon being dragged behind a van

The alternate artist Kumamoto Sharma has a super whimsical and loose style but the story is the total opposite. The artist and writer did not line up

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collects Daredevil (2019) issues #1-10

I originally read this as two different collections, so I'll break down this review in the same way:

Issues #1-5:

I don't follow "Daredevil" regularly, and can't even remember the last collection from his series that I've read. I've been mildly interested in checking out this run because I often like Chip Zdarsky's work, but Ben Reilly's involvement in the 2021-2022 event, "Devil's Reign," is what got me to finally read this run so that I'm fully prepared as I dive into "Devil's Reign" soon.

This was a great collection, and appears to be a good jumping-on point. I don't know this for sure, but it appears that the various Marvel Netflix shows have influenced the storytelling here.

Issues #6-10:

I like the direction this story is going. I'm happy to keep reading on in the story.

SPOILERS:

My two favorite parts of this collection happened close by each other. First, Wilson Fisk deciding that he was going to get out of crime, opting to instead gain power through legitimate politics. He isn't suddenly good, though, I think he has just decided that this is where real power is. Also, there was a hint that maybe with Daredevil "dead," Kingpin didn't have the same purpose in his criminal ways as he did when Daredevil was battling him. It reminds me of Frank Miller's "Dark Knight," in which Joker stops being crazy and/or acting out when Batman stops fighting crime.

The second thing I really liked about this collection was the scene in which Matt had super with that crime family that I had never heard of. There was enough context given to make this dialogue-heavy scene very tense.

[Bryan Stoffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

These first 10 issues are a good start to a potentially great run on Daredevil!

While I may not always like the choices that the characters are making so far, I love the journey that Chip Zdarsky is sending Matt Murdock, Fisk, and the rest of the Daredevil crew on. Matt so far hasn’t made any good decisions, but Zdarsky really sets up where Matt is mentally and emotionally, and while I may yell “What are you doing Matt?!” As I read, I also understand why.

I like this idea of Matt accidentally taking things too far, and how he struggles to cope with events that kick this run off.

One of the biggest highlights of this series for me is Marco Checchetto on pencils. I fell in love with his art on his Punisher run with Greg Rucka, and it’s been a treat to see his take on Daredevil, especially when Frank Castle briefly shows up! Some of the other fill-in artists when Checchetto is gone unfortunately aren’t my favorite. While I don’t think Lalit Kumar Sharma is a a bad artist, his choices on character designs were noticeably different from Checchetto’s, especially when it came to Mindy, which made Checchetto’s absence more noticeable. However, Jorge Fornes pencils with Jordie Bellaire’s inks made the final issue of this volume not only super enjoyable, but also a stand-out issue for me on this Daredevil run so far!

Overall I’ve really enjoyed these first 10 issues of Chip Zdarsky’s run on Daredevil, and I can’t wait to see what’s yet to come!

[Camilo Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daredevil en sus idas y venidas ya no es el mismo, esta falto de fe, tieen preguntas y se le fue la mano con un delincuente, ¿exagero?, mientras hay un nuevo policia que llega y tiene la meta de encarcelar a los vigilantes.

LO BUENO: Una historia densa, que te atrapa y no te deja respirar, Matt siente el peso de los años y no sabe si lo que hace esta bien, además, se excusa en una conspiración que parece no existir, dudas y preguntas muy bien manejadas, además, el persoaje del Policia Cole es muy bueno, entra y zas, temes por Daredevil.Hay aparición de invitados y entran fluiditos, nada forzado y calan muy bien en la historia, además, el arte de Marco Checchetto es increible, dinamico y detallado , sientes que Matt va a salir de la paginas y Jorge Fornes me hizo duduar si estaba viendo dibujos de David Aja. Gran trabajo.

LO MALO: Hay un artista que esta tres numeros y si bien no es malo, arrastra la claidad de la obra, o sea, la escena de los policias en el cuarto de interrogatorios, dibujado por otro , hubiera sido sublime.

[José Ignacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest reinvention of DD yet.

What a fantastic start to Zdarsky's run, I would even say it’s the modern equivalent to Frank Miller. Don’t get me wrong, the stuff before this is pretty good, but this is just on another level.

Zdarsky focuses so much on really bringing Matt's role as Daredevil into question, showing him as this layered, guilt-striken person who wants to do good, but feels like there’s too much preventing him from doing so.

There’s so much interesting drama and inner turmoil, it’s just so great and masterfully executed, the fact that Daredevil barely even appears in this book shows just how strong Zdarsky's commitment to Matt's character outside the mask is. It’s as good as it gets.

The art is all around fantastic, Checchetto is such a dope artist and the other penciler that come in are great too, but Checchetto takes the cake of greatness for me.

Overall, the best possible start for one of the best eras of DD.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen is going through it; still on the mend from his brush with death and wracked with (Catholic) guilt over his transgressions. Matt Murdock is forced on the run when a criminal winds up dead and he becomes public enemy number one. With the police and Mayor Fisk (Kingpin) on the hunt, Daredevil has to work fast to clear his name.

The initial issues were a touch slow and meandering, but by the end, I was hooked. I'm still on the fence about Zdarsky's narrative style but I'm curious enough to want to read the next volume. This is my first dive into Daredevil comics so I am hopeful but also a touch skeptical; there's potential but I am hesitant to make any claims just yet. The artwork was overall highly well-done. Though stylistically, I preferred Checcetto's (#1-5) art to that of Sharma's (#6-9) and Fornés's (#10).

[Joe Holzer]

I read Zdarsky's and Checchetto's Daredevil as the issues were released. It was a time of family deaths, COVID, an insurrection and a whack administration. The story, as many Daredevil runs do, felt tangible for unfolding during those difficult times.

Fast forward a few years, and this run becomes a premonition. Not only are aspects of the story--especially Wilson Fisk as the mayor of NYC--revived in the recent and excellent streaming series, they also contain lessons and warnings about corruption, guilt and broken systems.

Apparently this was not required reading.

Marco Checchetto's gritty art fits the story perfectly.

It's worth reading again. Maybe next time it won't be as connected to the present and can be enjoyed the way some other superhero series are, yet that's a reason it endures.

[Crazed8J8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down
This is a great story. I'm not a Daredevil fan, and read this as part of a book club (at least the first half). It was a great story, so I kept reading, and am now onto the second volume.
I really appreciate the humanity shown in Daredevil, how he struggles with his guilt, and how his counterparts empathize and even rescue him.
The artwork is great throughout (although Elektra's hair is a bit wild and distracting).
A really well-drawn, well-plotted, great story.
Recommended reading!

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review is for the Four Volume Heaven Through Hell Arc (read back to back to back to back)

The early promise washes away in a rising tide of crossovers and digressions, and Daredevils faith - a defining characteristic along with his blindness- is something that is not so much displayed as it is commented upon, contradicting a cardinal rule - show, don't tell. The fourth volume in particular is practically unreadable with the amount of material left out or glossed over.

[Race Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read all Issues #01-32.
It seems like Daredevil is in the same rut that every
Daredevil writer does, and that is getting tired.
I still love Daredevil more than most Marvel
comics because it's not all monsters ad infinitum,
but they need to get a storyline that has not
been done in redundancy so many times.

[R. Archer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of a slow start, but by 6-10 I was really into it. Also, can we talk about how stunning the cover art is?
Praying for Matt to enjoy his non-Daredevil life, but i knew that was gonna be short lived. Also, love that this man worries about if he's commiting sin when beating people up, but when he f#cks a mafia member's wife-

[Joe Bogue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Harder 2023 - Task #18 ALT

I really enjoyed the plot of the two first volumes of Zdarsky's run but the character development was boring. It's stupid to have superheroes discussing whether the Christian God is real when they've fought literal space gods and seen gloves/cubes that can literally warp reality.

[Ernesto Jun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Waid's run is still G.O.A.T. to me. It took me a few issues to warm up to Zdarsky's writing, but I really like how imperfect his Matt Murdock is. He makes such shitty decisions and he is so unsure of himself, and that is why the character is riveting to read. It makes me cringe, but I can't stop reading.

I'm not quite sold on Cole North yet.

[Néstor Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew it, I knew I had to read this series. Matt's inner dilemma, the talks about God, that conversation he has with Reed Richards, everything Zdarsky's done here is amazing. Just street-level, realistic, deep stories. Cole is an interesting character and I like him in this story. Also, those Spidey cameos are priceless.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zdarsky stays true to the narrative roots of Daredevil, while pushing the story of his internal conflict forward. To see this going on in a city where the Kingpin is mayor makes the tale all the more compelling. Excellent writing and art!